eolden



3 Sheets--Sheet 1.

I. HOLDEN.

INDICATOR.

(No Model.)

Patented Jan. 4, 1.887.

3 sheets-sheet 3.v

(No Model.)

LHOLDBN. INDIGATQR,

Patented Jam.` 4,188.7.

NMMmmv mPAm @MER MMRT P mxx MUEE w d. m/ @E m am UNITED STATES PATENT` OFFICE. l

ISAAC HOLDEN, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE WHEELER & WILSON MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

INDICATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part-o Letters Patent No. 355,531, dated January 4, 1887.

Application tiled September 24, 1886. Serial No. 214,428. (No model.)

act description of the invention, such as will' enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invent-ion relates more especiallyto the class of indicators7 or information tablets of which the devices illustrated in Patents No. 258,529, dated May 28, 1882, and N o. 307, 705, dated November 4, 1884, are examples, it being of course understood that the principle herein described and claimed is equally applicable to counting and calculating machines, to bills of fare, and in fact to all machines of this general class.

My invention has for its object to simplify and cheapen the construction,and at the same time to greatly improve the general operation of this class of machines. With these ends in view I have devised the novel construction of which the following description, in connection with the accompanyingiidrawngs, is a specification, numbers being used to indicate the several parts ofthe device.

In thel drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of the indicator in its open position,ready for use; Fig. 2, a similar view, showing it in operation; Fig. 3, a rear elevation, the cover and equalizer being removed, showing the internal mechanism; Fig. 4, a vertical section on the line wx in Fig. 3; Fig. 5,an end elevation illustrating the mechanism for operating one of the drums detached; Fig. 6,an enlarged crosssection illustrating the mechanism for adjusting the key-board. Figs. 7 and 8 are enlarged detail perspectives illustrating different forms of lingers; Fig. 9, a plan view of one of the Jacquard keys; and Figs. 10 and 11 are detail views, showing the surfaces of the drums as laid out on a plane.

Similar numbers denote the same parts in all the figures.

1 denotes the casing, which may be of'any desired shape or construction, and 2 stationsigns pivoted in the central portion of the casing. These station-signs may be of any preferred style,and,as shown in the drawings,

are operated in the same manner as in Patent No. 307,705, referred to above.

3 denotes the Jacquard key, which in useis held in operative position on key-board 4 by pins 4, engaging holes 5, or in any suitable manner.

6 denotes a series of drums journaled on a fixed shaft, v7, which are adapted to bear upon their -peripheries signs or distinguishing marks-for example, letters or numerals to indicate the time of departure of trains. These drums may of course be cylindrical or polygonal; or, if preferred, disks may be used with numerals or other characters upon the sides thereof. Y

8 is a drum, preferably polygonal in form, upon which I place signs descriptive ofthe different classes of trains. This drum is preferably fixed toits shaft 9, both shafts being supported by suitable frame-work, 10, within the casing.

10 denotes openings in the front of the casing, through which the signs or marks upon the drums may be seen.

11 denotes the rods by which the stationsigns are operatedthere being an independent rod for each sign, and 12 the rods through which the drums are operated,there being only one rod for each drum, no matter how many independent numerals or other signs may be upon the drum, as will presently be more fully explained..

13 denotes a cross-piece secured inthe casing, through which the rods pass freely, the cross-piece serving as a guide therefor.

14 denotes a pair of sliding cross-pieces rig-l idly connected by rods 15, through which rods 11 and 12 pass,the same as through cross-piece 13. Theslidingcross-pieces moveupanddown in the casing, being operated by a crank-shaft, 16, which is engaged by a detachable handle, 17, at the front. (See Figs. 1 and 2.) A link,

18, connects the crank withy asleeve, 19, swiveled in block 20, said block being firmly secu red to thelower sliding cross-piece, as clearly IOO cure the greatest possible durability I secure a metal casing, 23, in a recess in block 20, and secure the shank of the sleeve in said casing by al plate, 24, screwed to the shank and en- 5 gaging the inner end of the casing.

Turning now to Figs.'4 and-5, I will explain the mechanism whereby the drums are rotated.

As stated above, an independent rod is provided for each drum. A rack, 25, at the up- Io per end of each rod engages a pinion, 26, se-

cured to one of the drums or its shaft; or, if the construction should require, an intermediate gear, 27, may be used between the rack and pinion, as shown in connection with I5 the lower drum in Fig.` 5. The racks pass freely through and are guided by frame-'work 10, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The most irniportant feature of my invention, however, is the means by which I secure perfectly accurate automatic operation of the drums, no matter how many numerals or Aother signs may be upon them, but one rod being used foreach drum.

28 denotes fingers or tumblers arranged in.

2 5 series or groups, these groups of fingers being rigidly secured at the lower ends of the rods 12, which connect with the drums through racks and pinions, as alreadydescribed. The number of fingers or tumblers in each group 3o is ordinarily one less than the number of signs which `it is desired to displaynpon the drum with which the group is connected, as will presently be more fully explained.

The shape, arrangement, and construction of the lingers or tumblcrs are matters that may be varied to an almost unlimited extent without affecting the principle of my invention. In Fig. 7 I have shown them made separately and secured to a block, and in Fig. 8 I have 4o shown a group of them formed from a single piece of metal. I preferably make each group of fingers or tu niblers adjustable upon the rod by means of .a set-screw, 29, or in any suitable manner. The lingers or tumblers in each group are graduated in length-for example,

as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, c indicating the shortest finger in the group and b thelongest, each finger in the series being slightly longer than its predecessor.

30 is a cross-piece firmly secured in the casing and provided with openings through which the fingers pass, the openings serving as guides. `In order to prevent wear, and to provide firm lateral support for the fingers, I secure a guard-plate, 31, upon the cross-piece, said guard-plate being provided with openings in which the 'fingers fit snugly, but are free to move.

In order to insure that all of the drums shall 6o be brought to any certain position, which I term their normal position-for example, the position in which they are shown in Fig. 1 every time the sliding crosspieces are brought down by the crank, shaft, and link, I provide collars 32, held in position on the rods by set-screws or in any suitable manner, which are engaged by the upper sliding crosspiece each time it is brought down. This overcomes any friction of the rods or fingers in the guides, and thus insures absolute accuracy in making the changes, as each finger is brought down before the cards are changed, as will be more fully explained. As I have found in practice that it is best to limit the downward movement of the groups ofngers or tumblers, so that the ends will not strike or the bases come in contact with plate 3l, I have provided .other collars, 33, on the rods, which engage one of the fixed crosspieees when the sliding cross-pieces are thrown down, whereby the movement is checked at any desired position.

34 denotes a` key-box, connected in any suitable manner to the lower sliding cross- Vpiece, in which all the Jacquard keys, except the special one in use, are kept.

The key-board is provided with openings (not shown) which register with the fingers. The Jacquard key used is the same' as that described in Patent No. 258,529, referred to. In order to insure that the key-board shall move upward and downward evenly and smoothly-that is, that there shall be no friction or binding in connection with either frame-Work or fmgersl use an equalizer, 37,`

referred to.

' Turning n'ow to Figs. 1, 2, and 9, I will eX- plain in detail the operation of the drum-actuating mechanism.

As in the constructions shown in the patents referred to, a special key is prepared for each train in the daily series. In Fig. l the part-s are at the opened position, the fingers or tumblers, rods, keyboard, and keyvbox all being lowered. Vhen the parts are in this position the Jacquard key corresponding with the train which it is desired to advertise is placed upon the key-board, holes 5 being engaged by holding-pins 4, as already described. Each key-board has holes punched through it corresponding in location with certain of the fingers. The key illustrated in Fig. 9 corresponds with the advertisement displayed in Fig. 2, the holes punched out being indicated by circles in full lines, and the proper locations for holes to correspond with the remaining fingers being indicated by circles in dotted lines. The line of circles indicated by c belongs to the station-signs, which form no part of my present invention. The singlecircle indicated by cl corresponds with the iinger or rod D, controlling the left drum in Fig. 2, which bears but one numeral. The group of circles indicated by e corresponds with group E of finge1s,which control the next drum toward the right, which bears nine numerals and zero. The group of circles indi# cated by f corresponds with group F of fingers, which control the third drum, bearing ive numerals and Zero. The group of circles indicated by g corresponds with group G of iingers,which control the fourth drum, bearing nine numerals and zero. The group of ICO IIO

circles indicated by hcorrespon'ds with group H of ngers,which control the fifth or right drum, bearing the signs Noon, P. MJ A. M., and Night. The group of circles indicated by k corresponds with group K of lingers, which control the lower drum, bearing signs denoting the different classes of trains,and also one blank space. Ahalf-rotation of the crank-shaftfrom the position shown in Fig. I raises the key-b0X,-closing it, as in Fig. 2, and at the same time throws the keyboard to its operativeposition. A' lug, 35, on the crank engages a pin, 36, just after it has passed the dead-center, and prevents the crankshaft from completing the revolution, which would of course throw the key-board to the lowered position again. As itis,the key-board can vonly be lowered bya backward movement of the crank-shaft. Suppose, by way of illustration,that no key had been put in whenthe device was open, the halfrevolution of the crank-shaft to throw the parts from the position in Fig. l to that in Fig. 2 would have no effect upon the drums or signs, as all of the ngers and rods would pass through the openings in the key-board when the latter was raised. Likewise, if a key were used in which all the circles were punched out the-result would be the same, as all the ngers and rods would pass through the holes in the key when the latt-er was raised, and would remain at their lowered position.

From the above it will be apparent that, in order to expose any particular signs or nu merals upon the drums, it is necessary to turn them just sufficiently to bring the special numerals or signs desired into view at openings 10 and to stop the rotation at that point. This I accomplish by the engagement of the ingers with the key when the key-board is raised. In practice the circles in each group in the key are numbered or marked to correspond with the group of lingers which act in connection with them. (For fuller illustration see Patent No. 258,529, referred to.) To expose any numeral or sign, the circles in the corresponding group in the key are punched out from the end of the series back to but not including the circle corresponding with the numeral or sign which it is desired to expose. In the present instance the rst fingerin each group is shortest, and the last finger longest; but of course the series may bemade to run the other way, if preferred-that is, the first nger may be longest and the last shortest. In other Words, the holes corresponding with all ngers longer than the one to take effect are punched out, as the4 particular arrangement ofthe lingers is amatter of no consequence whatever. To illustrate, the key in Fig. 9 corresponds with the signs exposed in Fig. 2. As the numeral 1 upon the left drum is to be exposed, circle d is not punched out. As the numeral 2 is to loe exposed on the second drum, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 are punched out from the group of circles in the key corresponding with the ingersrfor that drum. In the group of circles belonging to the t-hird drum 3, 4, and 5 are punched out to expose 2. In the group belonging to the fourth drum 9 is punched out to expose 8. There are no fingers corresponding with Naught on the second, third, and fourth drums, with Night on the fifth, or with the blank spaces on the first and lower drums. Consequently, to expose either Naught, Nghtj or a blank, all the circles must be punched out, so that the-corresponding fingers will not be moved when the key-board is raised. In the group of circles corresponding with the fingers for the fifth drum Noon is punched out to expose P. M. In the construction illustrated in the drawings an intermediate gear is used in connection with the lower drum. Consequently it rotates in the opposite direction. In the group of circles in the key belonging to this drum the rst threeare punched out t0 eX- pose Extra y l The specidc operation of each drum-tak ing, for example, thesecond-is as follows: In the group of circles corresponding with the fingers for actuating this drum 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, and 3 are punched out. Consequently the corresponding fingers pass through the holes when thekey-board is raised, and no movement of the drum takes place up to this time; but as 2 is not punched out the corresponding finger is engaged by the key and carried upward by it, which movement, through the corresponding rod, rack, and pinion, imparts `just suflicient rotation to the drum to leave the numeral 2 exposed at opening l0".

I have used the term circles Vto dene the marks upon the key corresponding with the fingers.

It will ,of course be understood that it is only necessary that the holespunched out should be of sufficient size to permit the corresponding ngers to pass through. The marks upon the key merely serve as guides to insure accuracy in punching the holes. Having once made a key t0 advertisea certain train, no change what-ever is required until the train is changed.

4I do not desire to limit myself to the exact details of construction shown and described, as it is obvious that the details may be widely varied without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claiml. One or more drums having numerals or other distinguishing marks upon their periph- 4cries, and means-for example, racks and pin- IIO wheny said key is left imperforate at the mark corresponding with a certain iinger and is perforated at the marks more advanced in the series said finger is raised and the corresponding sign upon the drum is exposed.

3. A Series of drums bearing signs, mechanism for rotating saidI drums, and groups or series of fingers corresponding with said signs and connected with the rotating mechanism,

in combinationwith a key-board adapted to .move upward independently of the fingers, as and for the purposeset forth.

4. The drums, the rods, racks and pinions by which they are operated, and frame-work in which the drums are journaled and the racks guided` in combination with groups of iingers attached to the rods, a movable key-board, and a Jacquard key.

5. The casing having openings 10, drums having signs or marks adapted to be seen through said openings, and operating mechanism, substantially as described, in combination with groups of :fingers or tumblers con- 'neeted with said operating mechanism, and a Jacquard key, whereby any desired signs or marks upon the drums may be exposed.

6. The drums, operating mechanism, as racks and pinions, and rods connected to said racks, in combination with collars 32, adjustably secured to said rods, and a sliding cross-piece adapted to engage said collars in its downward movement, whereby allA the drums are returned to their normal position.

7. The drums, operating mechanism, as racks and pinions, and rods 12, connected to said operating mechanism and carrying iingers, as described, in combination with a fixed cross-piece which guides the rods, and collars 33 upon the rods, which engage the cross-piece in the downward movement to prevent the iingers from striking.

8. The drums, operating mechanism, substantially as described, rods connected to the operating mechanism, and fingers 28, secured to said rods, in combination with cross-piece 13, which guides the rods, and cross-piece 30, having guard-plate 31, which guides the fin gers.

9. In an indicator, rods 12, having collars 32, in combination with sliding cross-pieces connected by rods, and operating mechanism-- for example, a crank-shaft and link-whereby the crosspieces are moved up and down, the collars ybeing engaged by the upper crosspiece, as and for the purpose set forth.

10. In an indicator, the drums, operating mechanism, fingers, and sliding cross-pieces,

substantially as described, and a crank-shaft and link whereby said cross-pieces' are operated, in combination with swiveled sleeve 19, to which the link is adjustably secured.

11. The drums, operating mechanism, sliding cross-pieces, block 20, secured to one of said cross-pieces, and swiveled sleeve 19, secured in said block, in combination with` the crank shaft, link 18, pivoted thereto and threaded at its lower end,which passes through the sleeve, and nuts 22, whereby the link is adjustably secured in the sleeve.

12. The combination, with the drums, operating mechanism, substantially as described, rods 12, and fingers 28, of a key-board carried by sliding cross-pieces and a crank-shaft and link whereby said cross-pieces are operated.

In testimony whereof I aiiiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ISAAC HOLDEN.

Witnesses:

A. M. WoosTER, A. C. CAMPBELL. 

